The most awkward family vacation photos ever

The oldest brother refused to wear short-shorts, even in balmy South Dakota.

The oldest brother refused to wear short-shorts, even in balmy South Dakota.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 2 of 22

The turtles and the bees

The turtles and the bees

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 3 of 22

Dad pretended he didn't know his family on this trip.

Dad pretended he didn't know his family on this trip.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 4 of 22

Nobody noticed what was written on the rock until looking at the vacation photos.

Nobody noticed what was written on the rock until looking at the vacation photos.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 5 of 22

1976 road trip from New York to Disneyworld. Ah, fashion!

1976 road trip from New York to Disneyworld. Ah, fashion!

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 6 of 22

Even with sophomoric minds, the dad pictured in this picture says he and his wife hadn’t noticed the great placement of the cow’s udder in relation to him standing there—until he was showing grandma their vacation photos. less

Even with sophomoric minds, the dad pictured in this picture says he and his wife hadn’t noticed the great placement of the cow’s udder in relation to him standing there—until he was showing grandma ... more

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 7 of 22

This is what happens when dad is a dreamer.

This is what happens when dad is a dreamer.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 8 of 22

What's more wonderful in this photo? The handmade gold swimsuits or the Hawaiian Punch guy raft?

What's more wonderful in this photo? The handmade gold swimsuits or the Hawaiian Punch guy raft?

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 9 of 22

American pride in Germany

American pride in Germany

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 10 of 22

The proof has never been so convincing.

The proof has never been so convincing.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 11 of 22

This family prefers the wet 70s look.

This family prefers the wet 70s look.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 12 of 22

A family that wears bathrobes together stays together.

A family that wears bathrobes together stays together.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 13 of 22

A trip to Germany calls for serious lederhosen bonding.

A trip to Germany calls for serious lederhosen bonding.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 14 of 22

She knew the birds and the bees did it, but giraffes?

She knew the birds and the bees did it, but giraffes?

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 15 of 22

Grandpa brings new meaning to wipe out!

Grandpa brings new meaning to wipe out!

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 16 of 22

In this small town, only one man dared to defy the ban on dancing and jorts.

In this small town, only one man dared to defy the ban on dancing and jorts.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 17 of 22

They wanted their pose and clothes to mimic an ocean wave.

They wanted their pose and clothes to mimic an ocean wave.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 18 of 22

Oh, those two! They're always at it.

Oh, those two! They're always at it.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 19 of 22

This girl got a really bad sunburn at the pool. Then a woman walked by and said that tomatoes help.

This girl got a really bad sunburn at the pool. Then a woman walked by and said that tomatoes help.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 20 of 22

Another brother and sister brought closer together by the healing powers of Luxembourg.

Another brother and sister brought closer together by the healing powers of Luxembourg.

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 21 of 22

Could that be the Griswold family standing in front of the world's largest sombrero?

Could that be the Griswold family standing in front of the world's largest sombrero?

Photo: Awkward Family Photos

Image 22 of 22

The most awkward family vacation photos ever

1 / 22

Back to Gallery

Last week MSNBC reported on the latest trend among upper-crest Americans: Hiring a professional photographer to capture family vacations. Asking a random person walking by to snap a photo of your family with your point-and-shoot is no longer good enough. No, that shot of your family standing on a Maui beach at sunset needs to be professionally photographed so you have quality photos to post on your Facebook wall and mail out at Christmas.

“I do get the comment, ‘Oh, can we grab one on this beach for my Facebook profile?’” Mariah Milan, a Maui-based photographer who says that vacation photography now comprises half her business that was once exclusively wedding shoots, told MSNBC. “It started out slowly, and every year it’s gotten busier and busier for families. Year after year I set records.”

I find this trend terribly annoying and scary because it could mean that we’re nearing the end of the awkward family vacation photo—that comical, uncomfortable or downright awful photo that captures the Griswold in every family. A professional photographer would never tell a family to wear matching muumuus and aloha shirts or snap a photo when the kids are pouting (or fist-fighting). Awkward photos might not be suitable for the family Christmas card but they capture the essence of a family vacation—the ups and downs. Every family needs at least one photo that they can look back on for a good laugh.

To celebrate the importance of the awkward family vacation photo, I’ve reached out to the hugely popular website Awkward Family Photos, and they’ve shared a collection of pics that only a Clark Griswold-type could dream up. Enjoy!